Crinoidal fossils are pieces of animal skeleton fossils from an estimated 245 -570 million years ago. Crinoids are ancient cousins of starfish, sand dollars, sea urchins and sea cucumbers. Featuring a root-like base, a long stem-like column and then a head that resembles a flower, they look more like plants than animals, and are sometimes referred to as "sea lilies." Crinoids were so abundant that they sometimes formed vast underwater "gardens," leading to the beds of fossils we find today. Completely preserved fossils are rare, as we usually see their skeletons as a conglomeration of fossils.

Colors

Pink, brown, white, and gray

Crinoidal Fossil Classification

Common Name

Crinoidal Fossil

Species

NA

Variety

Colors

Pink, brown, white, and gray

Alternate Names

Gemstone Groups

Key Separations

Appeareance

Comments

Crinoid fossils are marine animals that date back to at least the Ordovician period.Sea lilies are crinoids which are have stalks and feather star or comatulids are crinoids that are unstalked forms. Often found in shale or limestone.